If you’ve ever seen photos of Jim Glickenhaus’ amazing one-off Ferrari P4/5 then you’ll know that all it takes is money to make your dreams come true. The P4/5 was commissioned from Pininfarina back in 2005 and cost Glickenhaus an estimated $4 million US to complete. It was built off the platform of a Ferrari Enzo, and was a tribute to the 1967 Ferrari 330 P 3/4. I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen the car in person, and I can tell you that it is nothing short of spectacular from every angle. The P4/5 made its debut back in 2006 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance in California and from then on has become somewhat of a legend.

Jump forward now 3 years to 2009 when Glickenhaus announced that he wanted to run a race version of the P4/5 in the 2011 24 Hours Nürburgring. As mentioned the original car was based on a Ferrari Enzo, the new car however, coined the P4/5 Competizione, would be based upon a Ferrari F430 Scuderia. It’s now 2011 and the P4/5 Competizione is finally complete and undergoing testing. Looks wise the car is just as stunning as the original renderings we brought you back in August. The 2011 24 Hours Nürburgring is scheduled to run mid-June, which means that this baby better have every nut and bolt gone through if it’s going to be competitive in the Experimental Class in which it’s running.

Source: Jalopnik.com

Pass the Akvavit…

Saab will be holding a press conference today and it is rumored that the announcement will be fascinating news for both Saab and BMW enthusiasts.

The two manufacturers have reportedly entered into an agreement for BMW to supply a 222 hp engine to Saab for the 2012 Saab 9-3SS.  The engine is still under wraps as it hasn’t yet been utilized in any current BMWs.  Reports have indicated that this new 9-3 is to be available as a sedan, vert, wagon, and hatchback, and that it has been designed under the helm of Saab’s new design director, Jason Castriota, a former Ferrari P4/5 and Maserati Gran Turismo designer.

Also rumored to be revealed either in this press conference or in later discussions is an agreement wherein Saab will purchase diesel engines from BMW, as well as an announcement that the all new Saab 9-2 will use the Mini Countryman as its platform.  The 92 is due out in 2014  and is expected to take design cues from the Saab 92 of the ’40s and ’50s.

Although lutfisk purists may be dismayed at further deviation from the essential “Swedishness” of the marque – certainly a longstanding complaint -  I think a Saab designed by a former Pininfarina guy and powered by BMW sounds like no slouch.  And if Saab CEO Victor Muller’s words prove true, the designs of old will be skillfully and respectfully resurrected anew.  My curiosity is definitely piqued.

—
UPDATE

Here’s a clip from the press conference:

The announcement concerned the engine purchasing agreement between Saab and BMW. Saab will purchase 1.6 liter, turbocharged, 4-cylinder gasoline engines from BMW for use in the 2012 Saab 9-3. I believe this is the same engine that is currently used in the Mini Cooper S. The video makes clear that there will be differences in the tuning.

The Saab 9-2 was also mentioned, but specifics were not offered. Saab definitely would like to build a car smaller than the 9-3, but work on such a car is not in the current business plan.

Sources:  Bloomberg, SaabsUnited, and Saab

The 1969 Pininfarina Sigma concept looks like it would give the Mach Five a hard time on the track, but the F1 car wasn’t built for speed—it was built for safety. In 1968, Switzerland’s biggest car mag, Automobil Revue, started a campaign to create a safer F1 car. Drivers were dying in droves back then and everybody knew something had to be done. Backed by Enzo Ferrari, Mercedes, and Fiat, Pininfarina and automotive journalist Paul Frère went to work. Their Sigma concept is stunning and includes safety features like fuel cells, seat belts, and an automatic fire suppression system. Three of the cars were made. Pininfarina and Ferrari each own one, Automibil Revue has the third.

If James Glickenhaus gets his way, NART, Ferrari’s North American Racing Team, might be making a comeback. If you don’t know the name, you probably know about his custom Ferrari P4/5, a rebodied Ferrari Enzo one-off that he commissioned from Pininfarina. Now Glickenhaus has dropped to the media that he wants to build another P4/5 car, a “competizione” version, and take it racing, reviving the idea of an American Ferrari team running factory-supported World Sportscar Championship-type cars for the first time since 1973.

The original P4/5.

It’s all a lot of speculation (especially the computer rendering of the blue NART P4/5 – no prototype has been produced yet) at this point, but hey, if Glickenhaus can get Pininfarina to custom-build him a car, and it turns out as gorgeous as the P4/5 did, we think he’s capable of getting some cars built and lining up drivers. That being said, it will be hard to beat the NART boys, as the team was a legendary factory-supported effort that employed Mario Andretti and Phil Hill to drive the latest Ferraris at races around the world.

[Source]

Come live vicariously through us as we, the most prestigious automotive blog in the world, grace the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with our stately presences. We’re sure to be the star attractions – forget the live unveiling of several never-before-seen new cars, and the endless rows of priceless works of automotive art sprawled out on the golf course greens like so many unobtanium sandtraps. Surely Jay Leno and the other celebrities will probably manage to jostle themselves into the photos of our expert appraisals of the class frontrunners, but we won’t be too upset. We’ll take a break from being the life of the Concours every so often to update you, our faithful readers. So check back often, and follow us at http://twitter.com/ridelust and in our Pebble Beach live coverage to catch all of the latest updates.

Opinions vary widely on the new Ferrari. Personally, I think it’s ugly as sin – at least in pictures. Haven’t seen one up close and that often makes a difference. But Edo Competition got their hands on a black California, and boy, have they made the front-mid-engined spyder look pretty sinister. There is always something sexy about a black exterior with a tobacco interior, and draped over that Maserati-like exterior it looks pretty fine. Performance has improved to … more on that in a second.

Edo has squeezed an extra 40 HP out of the motor to bring it up to a nice round 500 HP, using their high-performance exhaust system including high-flow catalytic converters. (No word on whether this is, ironically enough, California emissions legal.) And like pretty much any tuner of Maranello’s creations, you can customize the bejesus out of it through Edo. Better get your checkbook ready, because if you have to ask … well, you know. Press release below.

Edo Press Release
The Ferrari 599, 612 and 430 have had offspring. The open two-seater, dubbed the California Spider, with its retractable aluminum hard top is the new entry level model among the sports car offerings from Maranello. Having been introduced to the world at the Paris Motor Show last October, the California Spider can now be admired on our roads, too.

As with all edo competition models, we set no limit to our customers’ imaginations. Special interiors or lavish leather upholstery, individual requests are accommodated and executed with quality.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

McQueen and his Lusso.

Peter Orosz over at Jalopnik, bless his heart, wrote a piece today musing on the $2.3 million ex-Steve McQueen Ferrari 250GT Lusso that he caught a glimpse of it at the Concorso d’Eleganza. He does an excellent job doing it justice, but if you haven’t heard of the legendary Ferrari 250 GTO, stop reading this and look it up immediately. Then come back.

Ferrari 250 GTO - in rosso, of course.

The Lusso is basically a sexy granturismo version of that exact car, sporting the GTO motor, penned by Pinin Farina, and built by Scaglietti. That aforementioned unearthly GTO engine, a 2.9L V12, provided the motivation.

Not McQueen's Lusso! It's green, in case you're colorblind.

Much has been said of McQueen’s choice of brown for this car, but it works. Think old leather and cigars. A gift from his first wife, McQueen loved this car, but as with many things, that love was fickle. His son, Chad, recalled in an interview that his dad didn’t keep it for long, and other sources posit that his Jaguar XKSS (another unbearably awesome ride) was his favorite. As Chad puts it, “My dad had a lot of favorite cars.” Read more of that excellent LA Times article here.

I don’t. This is my favorite car, period. Well, except the Toyota 2000GT. Or the Lotus Elan S1. Or … ok, I see why McQueen couldn’t settle on just one. Anyways, hop over to Jalopnik and have a gander.

[Source: Jalopnik, LA Times]

There is a not-so-honorable tradition in China of blatantly copying the automotive designs of other manufacturers.  In the past, for every Suzuki, Honda or Toyota produced, there was an embarrassingly similar Chinese equivalent.  Though the Chery A3 is not exactly awe-inspiring to look at, with the help of Pininfarina, hopefully knock-off car designing is a thing of the past. 

In terms of the compact sedan segment in which it is slotted, the A3 is considered to be a major upgrade from previous offerings from China.  The arrival of the A3 hasn’t been without delaysthat were the result of Chery’s committment to ensure that the A3 would be both a unique design and also capable mechanically.  To demonstrate the car’s durability, the A3 was run for 66 days straight days beginning in June without problems to simulate 100,000 km worth of driving.  Chery President Yin Tongyao states, “We have repeatedly postponed the launch date to test the car’s performance and improve its quality, and thus to give it a better starting point.”  This continuous test of the Chery A3 before its sale to the public is a first for a new car in China and was a prelude to other “firsts” including the first brand to offer a 4-year or 120,000-kilometer warrany and an upgrade of safety features that give the Chery A3 a five-star auto safety standard. 

With the mechanics and safety sufficiently proven, Chery turned to famed Italian designers Pininfarina for help in the conception of the vehicle’s body (available in five different colors) that would be competitive to those of Ford, Nissan and Hyundai, which the A3 certainly is.  Interestingly, because of the emerging middle class and economy of China, almost 30 percent of all Pininfarina contracts are for projects in Asia.  Inside, the cabin is logically laid out and solidly constructed, albeit a bit utilitarian, in gray and silver colors.  While reliable, the powerplant of the compact is merely sufficient.  The A3′s 1.6 liter engine produces a modest 86 horsepower and has a top speed 115 mph when mated to a 5 speed manual transmission.  An automatic version as well as a hatchback configured model are expected to also be produced in the next year.  The price for the A3 is 81,800 yuan or the equivalent of $11,990.  All in all, a step forward for Chinese automaking.

One of the surprise hits so far from the Paris Auto Show is the unfortunately named Pininfarina B0 (pronounced B Zero) electric car. The car is dedicated to the memory of CEO Andrea Pininfarina, who recently died in an auto accident. The B Zero, which is a full scale production car, not just a concept, is a four-seat, four-door electric hatchback created in partnership with the French company Bolloré.

The first B Zeros (I can’t bring myself to call such a nice looking car the B0) should start rolling off the line in late 2009. Pininfarina always does nice work, but this B0 is particularly impressive. It not only looks nice, it has a really well designed inner structure; for example, the lithium polymer LMP batteries will be located under the vehcile, between the axles to give the B0 a more stable center of gravity. The batteries in electric cars are often one of the heaviest parts of the car. Pics after the jump


The LMP battery

That LMP battery is rechargeable in a matter of hours from a standard electrical socket and can provide a range of 150 miles. The B Zero also have a top speed of 80 mph, and, interestingly, solar panels on its roof and hood, to help recharge its electrical power reserves. I’m impressed, I just hope we eventually get a look at it here in the states.

The complete press release from Pininfarina:

Pininfarina B0 (to be pronounced B Zero) is dedicated to the memory of Andrea Pininfarina who was a firm believer in the project.

“To think, draw, design and build cars is not only an enthralling mental process.
Nor is it simply a business choice. It is also and above all a great social responsibility.”

Andrea Pininfarina (1957-2008)

The B0: the solution for a cleaner world

Bolloré and Pininfarina have entered into a partnership featuring all the expertise required to launch serial production of an electric car which, thanks to its technical characteristics and its attractive styling, is bound to make waves in motoring circles.

This car will not be a prototype. It will be a mass production model, with the first units coming off the production line at the end of 2009, after which production will be ramped up gradually based on the availability of the batteries. Built in Turin by Pininfarina-Bolloré, a joint venture formed by the two family-owned groups, the B0 electric car will be powered by Bolloré’s proprietary LMP technology, using a combination of batteries and supercapacitors manufactured in Bolloré’s plants in Quimper, France and Montreal, Canada. The B0 will be a fully-electric vehicle without any carbon dioxide production, having been designed from the ground up with that aim in mind. Its batteries will be housed in a compartment specially designed for that purpose and located under the car, between its axles, lowering its centre of gravity and providing it with outstanding road-holding properties.

With its superb body styled by Pininfarina, Italy’s renowned vehicle design shop, the B0 electric car will be an elegant four-seater, four-door hatchback with an automatic gearbox. Its LMP battery, which will be rechargeable in a matter of hours from a standard domestic main socket, will provide it with a range of 250 km (153 miles). The B0 will have a top speed that is electronically limited to 130 km/h (80 mph) and will feature potent acceleration, reaching 60 km/h from a standing start (0 to 37 mph) in 6.3 seconds. The B0 will also feature solar panels on its roof and hood, so as to help recharge its electrical power reserves.

Physical characteristics
Volume (litres) 300
Mass (kg) 300
Communication bus CAN

Electrical characteristics
Power rating 30 kWh
Nominal voltage 410 V
Peak power output 45 kW(30s)
Min. / max. battery voltage 300/435 V
Capacity at C/4 75 Ah
Energy density per unit mass 100 Wh/kg
Energy density per unit volume 100 Wh/l

Thermal characteristics
Internal temperature 60°C – 80°C
Operating temperature -20°C à + 60°C

LMP: revolutionary battery technology

At the heart of any electric car, lies the battery. Bolloré is a highly diversified group of companies with a combined yearly turnover of 10 billion US dollars and 35,000 employees. For the past 30 years, the group has been the world’s leading producer of components for capacitors. Thanks to its acquired know-how in extruded polymers and the storage of electrical energy, Bolloré has been working for 15 years through its subsidiary, Batscap, to develop a solid-state lithium polymer battery. This battery is able to store, weight-for-weight, and it can be recharged in just a few hours. The battery does not require any maintenance and has a lifespan of around 200,000 km (125,000 miles). Another key benefit is its unmatched safety while in operation. Added to that, the B0 electric car does not emit any exhaust gases, nor any fine particles. The car’s LMP batteries thus help combat air pollution. The batteries of the B0 also contribute to reducing noise, another nuisance which affects people’s quality of life in urban environments.

Supercapacitors: boosting acceleration and recycling power

Supercapacitors are sophisticated energy storage components developed by the Bolloré Group. In an electric car, supercapacitors draw and store energy generated while the car is braking and feed it back into the system when the car moves off again. The result is greater acceleration, increased range and a longer lifespan for the car’s battery. The electric cars powered by BatScap’s LMP batteries and supercapacitors have a range of over 250 km. They are fast (with a top speed of 130 km/h), pleasant to drive, safe, and long-lasting.

Natural energy from solar panels

Because it is 100% electric powered, the B0 does not generate any pollution. But the process of generating the electricity which the car uses must also, as far as possible, not have produced any atmospheric pollution. That is why the creators of the B0 have designed it to incorporate every possible solution designed to optimise the car’s energy efficiency and use of clean energy sources. For instance, the B0 electric car is fitted with supercapacitors, which enable it to store and recycle the energy that is generated while braking. Similarly, the car’s roof and part of its hood are covered with highperformance solar panels which help power some of its equipment. It goes without saying that a responsible environmental approach must be coherent throughout. Which is why all the materials used to build the car’s body, battery and interior trim have been carefully selected for their low environmental impact. All are recyclable or reusable. The Bolloré Group is also in the process of developing straight-forward panels of photovoltaic cells which might be installed by individuals or in public places to fully or partly recharge the B0 electric car’s batteries using solar energy.

The combined power of two major industrial groups

Ergué-Gabéric / Bolloré
LMP batteries and supercapacitors were developed at the research centre of the Bolloré Group’s production site at Ergué- Gabéric near Quimper in Brittany, France. They were the outcome of a concerted research effort founded on the Group’s core activities, Bolloré being the world’s leading producer of ultra-thin extruded films used in the production of capacitors, another energy storage component. The success of its research programme led the Bolloré Group to form BatScap, a subsidiary dedicated to these activities, some 15 years ago. Nowadays, BatScap’s employees have access to the most advanced laboratory and production facilities and comprise more than 120 engineers, research staff and technicians.

Montréal / Bolloré
In 2007, the Bolloré Group bought the assets of Avestor, the only other company in the world which possessed the technology and the patents required to manufacture LMP batteries. Avestor’s Canadian team, which numbers some sixty highly qualified staff, thus joined BatScap. By pooling the talent, technologies and facilities of both sites, the Bolloré Group is able to wield major and highly sophisticated production facilities which are ample to cater to the production lines of the B0 and electric Microbus vehicles.

Cambiano / Pininfarina
World-renowned for the talent of its design teams which have created many of the world’s most beautiful cars over the years, Pininfarina is also a highly experienced carmaker which produces high-end vehicles on contract for many makes. The B0 electric car will be produced by the Pininfarina-Bolloré joint venture at a plant located near Turin. The joint venture will benefit from the tremendous know-how and experience of Pininfarina’s personnel, who are proud to be involved in producing the world’s first serial production electric car powered by LMP batteries and supercapacitors under the company’s own badge.

Beleaguered with financial woes and the unfortunate death of their CEO, specialty automobile designer Pininfarina could use a jolt, and that’s exactly what they plan to give themselves. According to Autopia, Pininfarina is moving forward with plans to produce an all-electric car, which they will unveil later this week at the Paris auto show.

Bolloré Pininfarina Blue Car Concept

Perhaps looking to shield themselves from criticism earlier concept vehicle, the Blue Car EV, Pininfarina is keeping details on the impending electric car scarce. Amid the hype, Pininfarina has cautiously reminded industry buffs that the 4-door car to be debuted in Paris will only be a prototype, the production model won’t appear until March at the Geneva auto convention.